Tag: irvine

Chronic Pain Leads Irvine Man to ‘Healing’ Ocean and a New Career

The pain would start early in the morning. It was intense, his left leg aching like one can’t imagine, a sharp, distinct sensation that was nearly unbearable. The pain was real, which might be difficult to imagine, because Brian Bott doesn’t have a left leg. Bott, now 51, had his leg amputated well above the…


Irvine to Crack Down on Catalytic Converter Thefts With New Law

The City of Irvine is doubling down on rising catalytic converter thefts with a new law that will make it easier for police officers to arrest those with cut catalytic converters without valid documentation. The ordinance will make it illegal to “possess any catalytic converter that is not attached to a vehicle unless the possessor…


Irvine Man Charged with Attacking Flight Attendant During Flight to Santa Ana

SANTA ANA, Calif.—A 20-year-old Irvine man was arrested Nov. 1 on federal charges of attacking a flight attendant during a trip from New York bound for Santa Ana that had to be diverted to Denver. Brian Hsu was accused of assaulting the flight attendant Wednesday aboard an American Airlines flight, which took off from John…


Irvine Deliberates $56M in Federal Funding

The City of Irvine began deliberating Oct. 12 on how to allocate the $56 million it received through the federally-funded American Rescue Plan Act. The $56 million in federal funding is split into five categories: $28 million for quality of life, $5.2 million for the natural environment, $6 million into traffic and mobility, $14.5 million…


OC Locals Rally Support for Law Enforcement

At the corner of Alton Parkway and Culver Drive in Irvine, California, American flags and signs showing support for law enforcement were waved by seven Orange County residents, breaking the visible afternoon routine of the intersection’s daily commuters on Oct. 11. By email, rallygoers were told to “come as they are” and to “stay for…


Irvine Celebrates 20th Annual Global Village Festival This Weekend

The City of Irvine, California, is celebrating its 20th annual Global Village Festival Oct. 9, a multicultural event that shows off a large range of food, crafts, and live performances. The event, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Irvine’s Great Park, celebrates 20 years of the event in tandem with…


Irvine to Move Forward With Great Park Botanical Garden

IRVINE, Calif.—City council voted unanimously to construct a 100-acre botanical garden in the Great Park on Sept. 28. The request to consider the garden was brought forward by Councilmembers Tammy Kim and Mike Carroll in late July. Tuesday night, council was joined by the Great Park Garden Coalition to discuss the project. “One of my…


Irvine Ranked Safest City for the 16Th Year in a Row

The City of Irvine is America’s safest city of its size for the 16th year in a row, according to a Sept.27 report by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The annual uniform crime report that measures for the year 2020, said that Irvine has the lowest reported rate of violent crime per capita out of…


Irvine Police Chief Announces Retirement; Assistant Chief To Succeed Him

IRVINE, Calif.—Irvine Police Department (IPD) Chief Mike Hamel will retire next month after 27 years with the department, the last six as chief, it was announced Sept. 14. IPD Assistant Chief Michael Kent was appointed by interim City Manager Marianna Marysheva to succeed Hamel, whose retirement will become effective Oct. 7. Kent is a longtime…


Irvine Honors City Photographer With Gallery Exhibition

IRVINE, Calif.—The City of Irvine is honoring its longtime city photographer David Kawashima with an art exhibition displaying his photographs at the Irvine Civic Center. The photo exhibition opens free to the public beginning Sept. 16 with a reception held from 5 to 7 p.m. The exhibition will be on display until Nov. 24. “Over…